Akwa Ibom Govt dismisses claims of security withdrawal from Ex-Gov Udom Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom State Government has refuted claims that Governor Umo Eno ordered the withdrawal of security personnel assigned to his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel.

Addressing journalists at the Government House in Uyo, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, described the reports as “false and misleading,” emphasizing that such actions are beyond the governor’s authority.

“The deployment, reassignment, or withdrawal of police officers is the exclusive responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in each state, not the duty of any governor,” Umanah clarified.

He further stated that Governor Eno had issued no directive to remove security operatives attached to Emmanuel, adding that all former governors in Akwa Ibom continue to enjoy their legally approved security details.

“To the best of our knowledge, there has been no complaint or report from any former governor or their aides regarding the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those spreading it,” he added.

Umanah urged the public to disregard what he described as “baseless propaganda,” assuring that Governor Eno remains committed to fostering peace, unity, and good governance in the state.

Udom Emmanuel, who played a significant role in Eno’s rise to power under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, is widely regarded as his political mentor. However, reports suggest their relationship has become strained in recent months, following speculations of Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).